Chandigarh: Months before raising the issue inside the Punjab Assembly, former minister and MLA Pargat Singh had already sounded a public warning, claiming that Punjab was gradually turning into a “police state” under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann.
In earlier media interactions and public statements, the Congress leader had alleged that the government led by the Aam Aadmi Party was increasingly relying on police power to control political opposition and public dissent rather than addressing governance issues.
Backing his claim with examples, Pargat Singh had pointed to repeated police actions against opposition leaders, including detentions and restrictions during protests. He had alleged that democratic rights such as peaceful demonstration and free speech were being curtailed, with police being deployed not just for law and order but for “political management.”
He also referred to incidents where journalists and social media voices critical of the government were allegedly summoned or pressured by authorities. According to him, such steps were creating an atmosphere where people feared speaking openly against the ruling establishment.
Another example cited by the former minister was the alleged selective functioning of the police in sensitive or high-profile cases. He claimed that while opposition figures faced swift action, cases involving individuals linked to those in power did not receive the same urgency, raising questions about impartiality.
Pargat Singh had further remarked that excessive policing in civic matters, including monitoring of gatherings and increased surveillance, was a worrying sign for a democratic state like Punjab. “When governance starts depending more on police control than public trust, it reflects a dangerous shift,” he had said at the time.
The ruling government had dismissed these accusations, maintaining that strict policing was necessary to maintain order and tackle crime effectively. However, the earlier remarks have now gained renewed attention as similar concerns continue to echo in Punjab’s political discourse.
The controversy highlights an ongoing debate over governance, accountability, and civil liberties in the state, with opposition leaders consistently questioning whether Punjab’s administrative approach is drifting toward excessive state control.